Many factors cause alcohol abuse

The National Aboriginal Health Organization (NAHO) would like to express our appreciation to Nunatsiaq News for noting the Ajunnginiq Centre’s forthcoming publication on alcohol problems in Inuit communities.

We recognize that this is a sensitive and emotional issue for many people and communities, and would like to clarify the objectives and content of the paper. The article that appeared in the July 30, 2004 issue of Nunatsiaq News states that “giving up booze isn’t the way”, and that our report “encourages drinking in moderation.”

In fact, the report provides a comprehensive overview of theories of alcohol abuse and addiction, and provides information from a large body of research that indicates that a range of interventions, from complete abstention from alcohol to harm reduction approaches, such as moderation in one’s drinking, are required.

The Ajunnginiq Centre works closely with national and regional Inuit organizations, which have identified a need for more information and resources about alcohol problems.

The paper provides knowledge and evidence from national and international organizations, including Inuit organizations and communities, and summarizes the recommendations of the National Native Alcohol and Drug Abuse Program Health Canada, the World Health Organization, and other alcohol/addictions experts. Inuit communities are making many positive efforts to reduce the problems caused by alcohol. To enable communities to better reach that goal, the paper describes current services and also identifies key findings so that communities can consider a variety of options for effective prevention and treatment programs.

The evidence indicates that:

* alcohol abuse and addiction are different problems and require different helping methods;
* many more people are alcohol abusers rather than addicts;
* alcohol problems are caused by a complicated combination of biological, psychological and social factors;
* early intervention and aftercare are important elements of successful community-based programs;
* some people may need complete and life-long abstinence from alcohol; others may need to learn ways of cutting down on the amount they drink and new coping skills;
* in order to reduce the problems associated with alcohol, no single method works for everyone: in order to be effective, treatment and counselling programs must offer a choice of methods;
* alcohol counsellors must have full information and must be trained in a variety of methods;
* when people do drink, they must do so in moderation, and they must have information about how to drink without problems;
* ultimately, drinking problems will be reduced when people have the social, economic and psychological supports that lead to healthy lives.

It is also important to note that problem drinking, and in particular binge drinking, has been identified as a public health priority by many countries around the world, as well as by the World Health Organization.

Theories about problem drinking, research and options for service development and delivery, including self-help programs, are explained in detail in the full document, which is in the process of being printed for distribution. Copies will soon be sent to all communities. In the meantime, an electronic copy is available on NAHO’s website at www.naho.ca.

Thank you again for your assistance in raising awareness of our new report. We can be reached at 1-877-602-4445, or inuit@naho.ca.

Tracy O’Hearn
Director, Ajunnginiq Centre